Popular Nigerian singer, Crown Uzama, known professionally as
Shallipopi, has accused Dapper Music of financial exploitation, weeks after announcing his exit from the label.
Naijaonpoint reports that Shallipopi parted ways from the record label in November 2024.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Shallipopi accused the label of breach of trust and mishandling his finances.
The singer said he was denied access to details of his earnings, and the label had attempted to make him sign a contract where they would take 30% of his earnings despite exiting.
The artist also claimed that Dapper Music prioritised their profit over his growth, risking his career and dreams.
In the statement titled, “A Message from Shallipopi: Standing Up for Artists and Creators Everywhere,” he wrote, “I come to you today with a heavy heart but an unshakable determination. I’m Crown Uzama, your Shallipopi, and I’ve made one of the toughest decisions of my career.
“I am officially ending my agreement with Dapper Music and Dvpper Digital. This was not a choice I made lightly, but a step I had to take after my trust was broken, my finances mishandled, and my rights were disregarded as an artist.
“I’ve worked hard, and like anyone, I deserve to know where my money is going. Despite repeated requests, I was denied access to clear financial records of money.
“They tried to lock me into a contract where they’d take 30% of my earnings forever, even after we parted ways.
“Even after they no longer work for me, they want to continue to take a whole 30% of my earnings in perpetuity. That’s not just unfair; it’s exploitation, and it is cruel.
“This is bigger than just me. It is about every artiste and creator who pours their soul into their work, but only to face betrayal and exploitation from people that should be looking out for them. It is about standing up for fairness, integrity, and respect that we all deserve.
“Instead of prioritizing my growth, they prioritised their own profits, putting my career and dreams at risk.”